Phantom of the Opera: Howard McGillin returns as the Phantom
Howard McGillin returns to the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber�s The Phantom of the Opera on 21 May 2007.
Howard McGillin, who has played the role of the Phantom for over 1,800 times, longer then any other actor, left the show for a 3 week vacation. Gary Mauer, himself a record holder having played the role of Raoul for over 1,500 performances in the Broadway production of Phantom in two separate stints (1996-98 and 1999-2001), substituted for McGillin during his absence.
Broadway's longest running musical, The Phantom Of The Opera is the only Broadway show ever to reach 8,000 performancess. The show is currently booking to 17 Nov 2007.
The Phantom Of The Opera stars Howard McGillin in the tile role with Jennifer Hope Wills as Christine and Michael Shawn Lewis as Raoul.
Only one Original cast member remains with the show, and that is George Lee Andrews. On opening night he played the role of Don Attilio, he is currently cast as Monsieur Andre.
The musical also features David Cryer (Monsieur Firmin), Anne Runolfsson (Carlotta), Marilyn Caskey (Madame Giry), Roland Rusinek (Piangi) and Heather McFadden (Meg Giry). At certain performances, Julie Hanson plays Christine.
The musical features book by Richard Stilgoe and Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe
In The Phantom Of The Opera a hideously deformed Phantom lurks beneath the stage of the Paris Opera, exercising a reign of terror over its occupants. The phantom falls in love with the young Soprano devoting himself to creating a new star for the Opera by nurturing her extraordinary talents and employing all the skills at his disposal.
The Phantom Of The Opera is directed by Harold Prince and has production design by the late Maria Bj�rnson, lighting by Andrew Bridge and sound by Martin Levan. Musical staging and choreography is by Gillian Lynne. Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The musical is produced on Broadway by The Cameron Mackintosh/Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc.
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